A zoning amendment for a drive-thru restaurant at the former Chemo RV site at 1704 Broadway Ave. was given first reading and will now go to public hearing.
During its regular meeting Tuesday city council approved the application from Sharman Holdings Ltd. to have the zoning changed from service commercial to highway commercial.
Staff had recommended that a traffic analyst be consulted, however, Coun. Scott Nelson said there have already been studies done on the corridor that are stacked up in the basement of city hall.
"A significant amount of money was put in by previous councils when we did that infrastructure," Nelson explained. "It's all pre-wired intersection, lock stock and barrel. It's been paid for previously to have it ready for development."
It's a commercial zone, he added.
"This is a zone that we've known and anticipated we were going to be experiencing this type of development."
While Nelson said it was great news for Williams Lake, he said council couldn't announce what it was.
Coun. Sue Zacharias agreed with Nelson, saying she did not think the application needed another internal traffic analysis.
Council voted unanimously for the zoning application while Coun. Ivan Bonnell was absent.
Last month council approved a zoning amendment for another drive-thru restaurant at the former Lake City Ford site on Oliver Street.
Loader snow blade to be replaced
Williams Lake will replace a 33-year-old loader blade on one of its plows and reduce the fleet from three to two plows.
During its regular meeting Tuesday, city council, approved $28,000 for the replacement of the blade, using funds from the 2016 surplus in snow removal operations.
On an annual basis municipal services requires a minimum of two blades for snow pick up and plowing roads and cul-de-sacs.
Signal Point Gaming Bike Trail project approved
Council has authorized to contribute up to $30,000 toward the Signal Point Gaming bike trail project. Mayor Walt Cobb voted against the motion saying he wasn't against the funding but thought it should have gone to budgeting instead of being pre-approved.
City staff will authorize start of work, pending approval of the property owner, and draw up a statutory right of way agreement with the property owner, Signal Point Gaming and the Williams Lake Cycling Club.
As a result of conflicts caused by mountain bikers (and other users) using trails on private lands a means to divert traffic from these trails to alternate legalized trails was required. Staff have been working with the Williams Lake Cycling Club and its partners to find a solution.
The proposed connection sees the easterly Fox Mountain trails completely rerouted to avoid trespass of private land and to funnel trail traffic through the Hytest property (under agreement with bike club), Signal Point Gaming property and into the Tourism Discovery Centre parking lot area.
The City has commissioned a civil engineer to prepare a design for the trail, including bike amenities, property erosion and drainage control, fencing, and professional assurance of the design. The fencing is required to legally allow minors to be on the Signal Point Gaming property.
The trail is considered to have a value of $90,000, providing an ideally located trail head to the Fox Mountain network.
Transit agreements renewed
Council approved a three-year extension of a community transit partnership agreement between the city and the Cariboo Regional District for the provision of rural transit service for electoral areas D, E and F. Council also approved an amendment to the city's transit agreement with the Williams Lake Indian Band to increase the annual cost to $30,000 for the provision of HandyDart service. It was previously $25,796 annually.
Nutrition Run a go
When the annual Nutrition Run takes place at the Cariboo Memorial Complex on Sunday, April 9, Coun. Laurie Walters is hoping to be part of Team Council. "I want us all to be there this year," Walters said as council received a report from organizers about the run.
All Nations Spring Classic Walk/Run
Approval was given by city council for the All Nations Spring Classic Walk/Run, taking place June 4. The walk and run will depart from Boitanio Park and there will be an option to participate in either a five- or 10-kilometre walk or run. The event is being organized by the Tsilhqot'in National Government, Three Corners Health Services Society, Nenqayni Wellness Centre, Williams Lake Indian Band and Punky Lake Wilderness Society. Registration will be free and open to everyone to attend.
Letters of support
Council agreed to send a letter of support for the Rocky Mountain Rangers to create a Junior Army Cadet program in Williams Lake.
A letter of support will be sent for funding applications from the Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club to replace driving range netting.
Proclamations
April 2017 is proclaimed as Daffodil Month in Williams Lake at the request of the Canadian Cancer Society Williams Lake Unit. The week of March 12 to 19, 2017 will be proclaimed Cowboy Heritage Week in the city.
Delegations
Carla Bullinger with Communities that Care appeared as a delegation before council to share the group's latest report. Bullinger told council she will be going back into the schools to share the report with local youth. At their next community planning meeting scheduled for April 7, 2017, they will have new questions for youth and families, she added.
Representatives from the Boy and Girls Club of Williams Lake came before council to talk about Youth Week. Council agreed to proclaim May 1 to 7 Youth Week in the city.